Rear Wall Panel Sealing Profiles for Moisture Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wet room sealing technologies face issues with exposed sealants prone to moisture damage, mold, and visibility, particularly with tongue-and-groove connections and H-shaped profiles, which require additional sealing and are aesthetically unappealing.

Innovation Solution

A kit with profiles that attach to the back of wall panels, forming a sealed corner or surface line using permanently elastic adhesives and sealing chambers, eliminating the need for visible sealants and profile legs, allowing for a clean, moisture-resistant, and visually appealing connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tongue-and-groove joints are used to connect wall panels, then the connection is achieved, but the joints are exposed to moisture and the sealant is prone to tearing and mold growth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture-tight sealVSAvoidmoisture attack on sealant
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is extracted from the visible tongue-and-groove joint and relocated to the rear connection area. The sealant is applied in the groove at the back of the wall panel, away from the moisture-exposed interior space, while the front joint remains clean and visible-free of sealant.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing location is shifted from the horizontal visible joint to the vertical rear connection dimension. By applying sealant in the groove at the back of the panel and using the profile's sealing surface, the seal is positioned in a different spatial dimension that is not exposed to interior moisture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If H-shaped profile joints are used to connect wall panels, then the connection is achieved, but the profile and sealant are visible from the moisture-exposed side and prone to soiling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidcleaning requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The H-shaped profile is extracted from the visible front joint and relocated to the rear connection area. The profile connects wall panels at the back, away from the moisture-exposed interior space, eliminating the need for visible sealant and profile legs on the front side.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection profile is positioned in the rear dimension rather than the front visible dimension. The profile attaches to the back of wall panels and extends vertically, creating a hidden connection system that eliminates visible joints and cleaning requirements on the interior side.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If sealant is applied to visible joints and profile legs, then sealing is achieved, but the sealant is directly exposed to moisture attack and prone to yellowing and tearing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing functionVSAvoidsealant durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sealant application location is extracted from the visible joint and relocated to the rear groove area. The sealant is applied in the groove at the back of the wall panel, protected from direct moisture exposure, while the front joint remains clean and sealed without visible sealant.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The profile includes a sealing surface that provides a protective barrier before moisture can reach the sealant. The profile is positioned to shield the sealant in the groove from direct moisture contact, cushioning the sealant from harmful effects before they occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a moisture-tight seal without visible sealants, prevents mold and damage, and allows for movement between panels, ensuring a stable and aesthetically pleasing corner or surface line that is free from contamination and exposure to moisture.

Implementation Method 1

forming a sealed corner or surface line using permanently elastic adhesives and sealing chambers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermanently elastic adhesive: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The sealant is first applied to the contact surface or mating surface. The frame element is then positioned with the contact surface adjacent to the mating surface, and the frame element is subsequently pressed against the mating surface with a contact surface.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentEP4481127A1Kit of parts with profiles for wall sealing
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 VITERMA AG
  • EP4481127A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4481127A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4481127A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Kit with profiles (2, 20) for wall-side wet room sealing consisting of wall panels (3, 4) exposed to moisture from the inside, which form a moisture-exposed surface line (8, 8a) in the contact area of ​​the mutually facing end faces, wherein the wet room sealing is carried out on the back of the wall panels (3, 4) in conjunction with wall-side attached profiles (2, 20).